Elastomeric gasket for fluid interface to a microfluidic chip

Abstract

The present invention relates to microfluidic devices that include a reliable seal between a substrate of the device and a fluid transport mechanism. The devices of the invention include at least one internal channel, and at least one port in fluid communication with the channel. A seal is associated with the port and is configured to receive a fluid transport mechanism. The seal is formed from an elastomeric material that is compatible for use with fluorinated oil and resists flaking and degradation.

1 . A microfluidic device, comprising:
 a member defining at least one internal channel and at least one port in fluid communication with each of the channels; and   a gasket associated with each of the ports and configured to sealingly receive a fluid transport mechanism such that said fluid exits the transport mechanism and enters one of the channels, the gasket comprising an elastomeric material comprised of a two phase block copolymer having a soft polydimethylsiloxane phase and a hard aliphatic isocyanate phase.   
     
     
         2 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric material comprises approximately 90% siloxane or greater. 
     
     
         3 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein the gasket is formed by injection molding. 
     
     
         4 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein the gasket comprises Genomier® 200. 
     
     
         5 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein the gasket is compatible with a fluorinated oil. 
     
     
         6 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein the gasket resists flaking and degradation after sealingly receiving the fluid transport mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein a portion of the gasket fits at least partially into the port and another portion of the gasket sealingly receives the fluid transport mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1  wherein the member comprises a top plate adhered to a bottom plate. 
     
     
         9 . The microfluidic device of  claim 8  wherein each of the top and bottom plates has a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface of the bottom plate faces and is adhered to the bottom surface of the top plate. 
     
     
         10 . The microfluidic device of  claim 9  wherein the bottom plate defines the channels and the top plate defines the ports. 
     
     
         11 . The microfluidic device of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid transport mechanism is a pipette or a tube. 
     
     
         12 . A microfluidic device, comprising:
 a member defining at least three internal channels and also defining a first inlet port and a first outlet port of a first one of the channels, a second inlet port and a second outlet port of a second one of the channels, and a third inlet port and a third outlet port of a third one of the channels;   a first gasket associated with the first, second, and third inlet ports and configured to sealingly receive a fluid input mechanism such that fluid exits the fluid input mechanism and enters one of the first, second, and third channels via one of the first, second, and third inlet ports; and   a second gasket associated with the first, second, and third outlet ports and configured to sealingly receive a fluid output mechanism such that fluid exits one of the first, second, and third channels via one of the first, second, and third outlet ports and enters the fluid output mechanism,   wherein each of the first and second gaskets comprise an elastomeric material comprised of a two phase block copolymer having a soft polydimethylsiloxane phase and a hard aliphatic isocyanate phase.   
     
     
         13 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid input mechanism is a pipette or a tubing. 
     
     
         14 . The microfluidic device of  claim 13 , wherein the fluid output mechanism is a pipette or a tubing. 
     
     
         15 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  wherein each of the first and second gaskets comprises a thermoplastic silicone elastomer. 
     
     
         16 . The microfluidic device of  claim 15  wherein each of the first and second gaskets is formed by injection molding. 
     
     
         17 . The microfluidic device of  claim 15  wherein the elastomeric material comprises approximately 90% siloxane or greater. 
     
     
         18 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  wherein each of the first and second gaskets is compatible with a fluorinated oil. 
     
     
         19 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  wherein each of the first and second gaskets resists flaking and degradation after sealingly receiving the fluid input and fluid output mechanisms, respectively. 
     
     
         20 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  wherein the first gasket includes a first bottom portion that fits at least partially into the first inlet port, a second bottom portion that fits at least partially into the second inlet port, and a third bottom portion that fits at least partially into the third inlet port. 
     
     
         21 . The microfluidic device of  claim 20  wherein the first gasket includes a first top portion that sealingly receives the fluid input mechanism to allow fluid that exits the fluid input mechanism to enter the first channel, a second top portion that sealingly receives the fluid input mechanism to allow fluid that exits the fluid input mechanism to enter the second channel, and a third top portion that sealingly receives the fluid input mechanism to allow fluid that exits the fluid input mechanism to enter the third channel. 
     
     
         22 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  wherein the second gasket includes a first bottom portion that fits at least partially into the first outlet port, a second bottom portion that fits at least partially into the second outlet port, and a third bottom portion that fits at least partially into the third outlet port. 
     
     
         23 . The microfluidic device of  claim 22  wherein the second gasket includes a first top portion that sealingly receives the fluid output mechanism to allow fluid that exits the first channel to enter the fluid output mechanism, a second top portion that sealingly receives the fluid output mechanism to allow fluid that exits the second channel to enter the fluid output mechanism, and a third top portion that sealingly receives the fluid output mechanism to allow fluid that exits the third channel to enter the fluid output mechanism. 
     
     
         24 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  wherein the member comprises a top plate adhered to a bottom plate. 
     
     
         25 . The microfluidic device of  claim 24  wherein each of the top and bottom plates has a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein the top surface of the bottom plate faces and is adhered to the bottom surface of the top plate. 
     
     
         26 . The microfluidic device of  claim 25  wherein the bottom plate defines the channels and the top plate defines the ports. 
     
     
         27 . The microfluidic device of  claim 12  further comprising a carrier into which the microfluidic device is disposed. 
     
     
         28 . A disposable cartridge for use with a microfluidic analysis system, comprising:
 a carrier; and   a microfluidic device disposed within the carrier and comprising:
 a member defining at least three internal channels and also defining a first inlet port and a first outlet port of a first one of the channels, a second inlet port and a second outlet port of a second one of the channels, and a third inlet port and a third outlet port of a third one of the channels; 
 a first gasket associated with the first, second, and third inlet ports and configured to sealingly receive an input pipette such that fluid exits a tip of the input pipette and enters one of the first, second, and third channels via one of the first, second, and third inlet ports; and 
 a second gasket associated with the first, second, and third outlet ports and configured to sealingly receive an output pipette such that fluid exits one of the first, second, and third channels via one of the first, second, and third outlet ports and enters a tip of the output pipette, 
 wherein each of the first and second gaskets comprise an elastomeric material comprised of a two phase block copolymer having a soft polydimethylsiloxane phase and a hard aliphatic isocyanate phase.